US6291998B1 - Basic field magnet for an MRI apparatus with a displaceable homogeneity volume - Google Patents
Basic field magnet for an MRI apparatus with a displaceable homogeneity volume Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US6291998B1 US6291998B1 US09/265,820 US26582099A US6291998B1 US 6291998 B1 US6291998 B1 US 6291998B1 US 26582099 A US26582099 A US 26582099A US 6291998 B1 US6291998 B1 US 6291998B1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- magnet
- coils
- displacement
- magnet assembly
- volume
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
- G01R33/00—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables
- G01R33/20—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance
- G01R33/44—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance using nuclear magnetic resonance [NMR]
- G01R33/48—NMR imaging systems
- G01R33/483—NMR imaging systems with selection of signals or spectra from particular regions of the volume, e.g. in vivo spectroscopy
- G01R33/4833—NMR imaging systems with selection of signals or spectra from particular regions of the volume, e.g. in vivo spectroscopy using spatially selective excitation of the volume of interest, e.g. selecting non-orthogonal or inclined slices
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
- G01R33/00—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables
- G01R33/20—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance
- G01R33/28—Details of apparatus provided for in groups G01R33/44 - G01R33/64
- G01R33/38—Systems for generation, homogenisation or stabilisation of the main or gradient magnetic field
- G01R33/387—Compensation of inhomogeneities
- G01R33/3875—Compensation of inhomogeneities using correction coil assemblies, e.g. active shimming
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a magnet assembly for generating the basic magnetic field in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device.
- MRI magnetic resonance imaging
- a magnet is a component of a magnetic field generation unit of an MRI device.
- the magnet in such an assembly has a patient tube in which a patient lies during his/her examination.
- the magnetic field generation unit generates a substantially homogenous and temporally constant (main) magnetic field (also called a basic magnetic field or B 0 field) in an examination volume (imaging volume) situated inside the patient tube. Because of the necessary homogeneity of the examination volume, this is also called a homogeneity volume.
- the minimum required extent of the generally spherical homogeneity volume is determined by the fact that signal pickups must be possible at spatially varied positions of the patient. Thus, for example, head surveys are performed centered with respect to the magnetic longitudinal axis, while heart imaging occurs outside the magnetic longitudinal axis.
- the required minimum extent of the homogeneity volume thus must be relatively large, although the examined organs or body regions themselves would require only a small homogeneity volume.
- the extent of the homogeneity volume is essentially determined by the length of the magnet.
- the size (length and diameter) of the magnet determines the cost of the magnet, with a larger size naturally resulting in a correspondingly higher cost due to the basis of the required basic homogeneity.
- long patient tubes which are at least as long as the patient himself or herself, the patient may experience anxiety during the examination.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a magnet assembly which enables the construction of a cost-effective and patient-friendly MRI device.
- This object is inventively achieved in a magnet assembly having a magnet according with a patient receptacle inside of which the homogeneity volume is situated.
- This homogeneity volume is inventively displaceable in space by an auxiliary means.
- a ⁇ B 0 field is easily impressed on the B 0 field (main magnetic field), thus making it possible to achieve a spatial displacement, and thus more than one single positioning, of the homogeneity volume.
- the magnet can be constructed as a cylindrical magnet (solenoid) or as a horseshoe magnet (C-arm MRI device).
- the patient receptacle is constructed as a patient tube.
- the homogeneity volume is adapted exclusively to the size of the examined organs or body regions, such as the heart or head.
- the inventive magnet has a considerably smaller homogeneity volume than conventional MRI magnets, since the varying position of the examined organs or body regions no longer needs to be considered in the dimensioning of the homogeneity volume.
- the varying position of the examined organs or body parts is taken into account by the displaceability of the homogeneity volume. Accordingly, the smaller homogeneity volume compared to known magnets is inexpensive to produce, since the inventive magnet is constructed smaller, particularly shorter. The shorter length of the inventive magnet compared to conventional magnets also leads to a correspondingly shorter patient tube in cylindrical magnets, resulting in a greater comfort for the patient and easier access.
- Any field non-homogeneities which may arise in a displacement of the homogeneity field can be arithmetically determined and compensated by the usual measures.
- the homogeneity volume can be displaced in all directions. In general, however, a displaceability along the x-axis should be sufficient. A displaceability along the y-axis (perpendicular to the z-axis and to the x-axis) is only necessary given a very small homogeneity volume. A displaceability of the homogeneity volume in the direction of the z-axis (i.e. in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the magnet) is usually not necessary, since, in this case, a displacement of the patient bed in the patient tube is simpler, circumstances permitting.
- the auxiliary means for the spatial displacement of the homogeneity volume can be formed by displacement coils or ferromagnetic displacement elements.
- a combination of displacement coils and displacement elements also can serve for the spatial displacement of the homogeneity volume.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an inventive magnet assembly having a magnet with auxiliary means formed by a number of displacement coils.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an inventive magnet assembly having a magnet with auxiliary means formed by a number of ferromagnetic displacement elements.
- a magnet which has a patient tube and which is a component of a magnetic field generator in an MRI device is referenced 1 or 2 , respectively.
- the magnets 1 and 2 are depicted only as tubes in FIGS. 1 and 2.
- the magnetic field generator a generates a substantially homogenous and temporally constant B 0 field (also called the basic magnetic field or the main magnetic field) in a homogeneity volume (also called an examination volume or an imaging volume) situated within the patient tube.
- B 0 field also called the basic magnetic field or the main magnetic field
- a homogeneity volume also called an examination volume or an imaging volume
- the z-axis of a Cartesian coordinate system lies in the direction of the B 0 field.
- the plane which is perpendicular to the field lines is then the xy plane, the x axis extending horizontally and the y axis extending vertically.
- the magnet 1 depicted in FIG. 1 includes auxiliary means formed by a number of displacement coils 3 to 10 .
- four displacement coils 3 to 6 and 7 to 10 are arranged oppositely and at either side of the B 0 field.
- the displacement coils 3 to 10 must be correspondingly charged with current. Current flows in a same, first direction in each of the displacement coils 3 to 6 and current flows in a same, second direction in each of the displacement coils 7 to 10 .
- the first and second current flow direction are opposite each other.
- the respectively opposed displacement coils (the displacement coils 3 and 7 , and 4 and 8 , and 5 and 9 , and 6 and 10 ) are respectively charged with current such that an opposed current flow arises.
- the current flow in the neighboring displacement coils 3 to 6 thus proceeds counterclockwise, while the current flow in the neighboring displacement coils 7 to 10 proceeds clockwise.
- the current flow directions are indicated with arrows in FIG. 1 .
- the inventive displacement of the homogeneity volume in the horizontal direction and transversely to the B 0 field is achieved by auxiliary means formed by a number of ferromagnetic displacement elements 11 to 20 , which are preferably constructed as iron sheets.
- the displacement coils 3 to 10 in the magnet 1 are inactive (FIG. 1 ), or the ferromagnetic displacement elements 11 to 20 in the magnet 2 are removed (FIG. 2 ).
- the displacement coils 3 to 10 are activated, or respectively, the relevant ferromagnetic displacement elements 11 to 15 or 16 to 20 are positioned at or in the magnet 2 .
- retainers (not depicted) can be provided at the outer jacket surface of the magnet 2 for this purpose, the displacement elements 11 to 20 being insertable in those retainers.
- a ⁇ B 0 field is impressed on the B 0 field (main magnetic field), thereby allowing a spatial displacement, and thus more than one positioning, of the homogeneity volume.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Condensed Matter Physics & Semiconductors (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Spectroscopy & Molecular Physics (AREA)
- High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Apparatus (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (11)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE29805903U | 1998-03-31 | ||
DE29805903U DE29805903U1 (en) | 1998-03-31 | 1998-03-31 | Magnet for nuclear magnetic resonance devices |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US6291998B1 true US6291998B1 (en) | 2001-09-18 |
Family
ID=8055115
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/265,820 Expired - Lifetime US6291998B1 (en) | 1998-03-31 | 1999-03-10 | Basic field magnet for an MRI apparatus with a displaceable homogeneity volume |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6291998B1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP0947848A3 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH11318859A (en) |
DE (1) | DE29805903U1 (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20030216636A1 (en) * | 2002-05-20 | 2003-11-20 | Martyn Paley | Methods and apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging |
GB2389186A (en) * | 2001-12-04 | 2003-12-03 | Nmr Holdings No 2 Pty Ltd | Asymmetric teressal shim coils for magnetic resonance |
US20040044280A1 (en) * | 2002-05-20 | 2004-03-04 | Martyn Paley | Methods & apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging |
US20110050229A1 (en) * | 2009-08-31 | 2011-03-03 | Jin Jun Chen | Method and apparatus for compensating insufficient homogeneity of the basic magnetic field in a magnetic resonance apparatus |
CN107205687A (en) * | 2015-02-25 | 2017-09-26 | 株式会社日立制作所 | MR imaging apparatus, magnetostatic field uniformity method of adjustment, program and computer |
US11156685B2 (en) * | 2004-04-01 | 2021-10-26 | Liposcience, Inc. | NMR analyzers for clinical evaluation of biosamples |
GB2556281B (en) * | 2015-07-15 | 2021-12-22 | Synaptive Medical Inc | Active coil to shift a volume of uniform magnetic field |
Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4015196A (en) * | 1974-04-05 | 1977-03-29 | National Research Development Corporation | Analysis of materials |
US4240439A (en) | 1975-04-30 | 1980-12-23 | Hokkaido University | Method of obtaining information of a specified or target area of a living body near its skin surface by the application of a nuclear magnetic resonance phenomenon |
US4737754A (en) | 1986-08-04 | 1988-04-12 | Picker International, Ltd. | Method of operating an electromagnetic arrangement |
US4985679A (en) | 1984-12-21 | 1991-01-15 | Oxford Magnet Technology Limited | Magnet assembly |
US5121060A (en) * | 1987-11-05 | 1992-06-09 | University Of Queensland | Magnetic field homogenization in NMR spectroscopy |
US5365172A (en) * | 1992-08-07 | 1994-11-15 | Brigham And Women's Hospital | Methods and apparatus for MRI |
EP0710851A1 (en) | 1994-11-04 | 1996-05-08 | Picker International, Inc. | Magnetic resonance apparatus |
US5646532A (en) * | 1993-09-20 | 1997-07-08 | Bruker Medizintechnik Gmbh | Partial body tomograph |
US5969525A (en) * | 1996-07-01 | 1999-10-19 | U.S. Philips Corporation | MR imaging apparatus |
-
1998
- 1998-03-31 DE DE29805903U patent/DE29805903U1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1999
- 1999-03-10 US US09/265,820 patent/US6291998B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-03-18 EP EP99105562A patent/EP0947848A3/en not_active Ceased
- 1999-03-25 JP JP11081819A patent/JPH11318859A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4015196A (en) * | 1974-04-05 | 1977-03-29 | National Research Development Corporation | Analysis of materials |
US4240439A (en) | 1975-04-30 | 1980-12-23 | Hokkaido University | Method of obtaining information of a specified or target area of a living body near its skin surface by the application of a nuclear magnetic resonance phenomenon |
US4985679A (en) | 1984-12-21 | 1991-01-15 | Oxford Magnet Technology Limited | Magnet assembly |
US4737754A (en) | 1986-08-04 | 1988-04-12 | Picker International, Ltd. | Method of operating an electromagnetic arrangement |
US5121060A (en) * | 1987-11-05 | 1992-06-09 | University Of Queensland | Magnetic field homogenization in NMR spectroscopy |
US5365172A (en) * | 1992-08-07 | 1994-11-15 | Brigham And Women's Hospital | Methods and apparatus for MRI |
US5646532A (en) * | 1993-09-20 | 1997-07-08 | Bruker Medizintechnik Gmbh | Partial body tomograph |
EP0710851A1 (en) | 1994-11-04 | 1996-05-08 | Picker International, Inc. | Magnetic resonance apparatus |
US5969525A (en) * | 1996-07-01 | 1999-10-19 | U.S. Philips Corporation | MR imaging apparatus |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
"Dynamic Shimming for Multi-Slice Magnetic Resonance Imaging," Morrell et al., MRM vol. 38 (1977), pp. 477, 483. |
Cited By (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2389186A (en) * | 2001-12-04 | 2003-12-03 | Nmr Holdings No 2 Pty Ltd | Asymmetric teressal shim coils for magnetic resonance |
GB2389186B (en) * | 2001-12-04 | 2006-08-02 | Nmr Holdings No 2 Pty Ltd | Asymmetric tesseral shim coils for magnetic resonance |
US20030216636A1 (en) * | 2002-05-20 | 2003-11-20 | Martyn Paley | Methods and apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging |
US20040044280A1 (en) * | 2002-05-20 | 2004-03-04 | Martyn Paley | Methods & apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging |
US6980001B2 (en) | 2002-05-20 | 2005-12-27 | The University Of Sheffield At Western Bank | Methods & apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging |
US11156685B2 (en) * | 2004-04-01 | 2021-10-26 | Liposcience, Inc. | NMR analyzers for clinical evaluation of biosamples |
US20110050229A1 (en) * | 2009-08-31 | 2011-03-03 | Jin Jun Chen | Method and apparatus for compensating insufficient homogeneity of the basic magnetic field in a magnetic resonance apparatus |
US8638101B2 (en) | 2009-08-31 | 2014-01-28 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Method and apparatus for compensating insufficient homogeneity of the basic magnetic field in a magnetic resonance apparatus |
CN107205687A (en) * | 2015-02-25 | 2017-09-26 | 株式会社日立制作所 | MR imaging apparatus, magnetostatic field uniformity method of adjustment, program and computer |
US10638950B2 (en) * | 2015-02-25 | 2020-05-05 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, static magnetic field homogeneity adjustment method, program, and computer |
CN107205687B (en) * | 2015-02-25 | 2020-09-01 | 株式会社日立制作所 | Static magnetic field uniformity adjusting method, static magnetic field uniformity adjusting device, and computer |
GB2556281B (en) * | 2015-07-15 | 2021-12-22 | Synaptive Medical Inc | Active coil to shift a volume of uniform magnetic field |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE29805903U1 (en) | 1998-06-10 |
EP0947848A2 (en) | 1999-10-06 |
EP0947848A3 (en) | 2001-04-11 |
JPH11318859A (en) | 1999-11-24 |
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Owner name: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, GERMANY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HEID, OLIVER;REEL/FRAME:009820/0771 Effective date: 19990303 |
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Owner name: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH, GERMANY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT;REEL/FRAME:039271/0561 Effective date: 20160610 |